Predicting fracture energies and crack-tip fields of soft tough materials

Teng Zhang, Shaoting Lin, Hyunwoo Yuk, Xuanhe Zhao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

123 Scopus citations

Abstract

Soft materials including elastomers and gels are pervasive in biological systems and technological applications. Whereas it is known that intrinsic fracture energies of soft materials are relatively low, how the intrinsic fracture energy cooperates with mechanical dissipation in process zone to give high fracture toughness of soft materials is not well understood. In addition, it is still challenging to predict fracture energies and crack-tip strain fields of soft tough materials. Here, we report a scaling theory that accounts for synergistic effects of intrinsic fracture energies and dissipation on the toughening of soft materials. We then develop a coupled cohesive-zone and Mullins-effect model capable of quantitatively predicting fracture energies of soft tough materials and strain fields around crack tips in soft materials under large deformation. The theory and model are quantitatively validated by experiments on fracture of soft tough materials under large deformations. We further provide a general toughening diagram that can guide the design of new soft tough materials.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-8
Number of pages8
JournalExtreme Mechanics Letters
Volume4
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Fracture mechanics
  • Soft materials
  • Toughening

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Engineering (miscellaneous)
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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